“I am grateful that these impressive
individuals have chosen to dedicate their talents to serving the
American people at this important time for our country,” Obama said
in a statement. “I look forward to working with them in the months
and years ahead.”

Also on Thursday, Time Magazine
named Collins, who came out gay in a Sports Illustrated
cover story last year, to its list of “100 Most Influential People
in the World,” placing his image on several regional covers.

“One goal that I have attained in my
life that I'm very proud of is to have a positive impact on someone
else's life,” Collins
told Time. “Hopefully my actions will make it easier for them
to live their life, to be whoever they want to be.”